不同生物质炭输入水平下旱作农田温室气体排放日变化研究

在陇中黄土高原干旱半干旱区,采用小区定位试验,对不同生物质炭水平(0 t·hm~(-2)、10 t·hm~(-2)、20 t·hm~(-2)、30 t·hm~(-2)、40 t·hm~(-2)、50 t·hm~(-2))下农田土壤温室气体(CO_2、N_2O和CH_4)的日排放通量及其影响因子进行连续观测,并确定1 d中不同生物质炭处理水平下的最佳观测时间。结果表明:6个生物质炭输入水平处理下,春小麦地土壤CH_4、N_2O和CO_2通量变化趋势与气温日变化轨迹大体一致,均表现为白天排放量大于夜间,并在4:00—5:00时,出现对CH_4通量的吸收峰,以及N_2O与CO_2的排放低谷;全天内各处理CH_4平均排放通量依次为:10.14mg·m~(-2)·h~(-1)、7.82mg·m~(-2)·h~(-1)、6.57mg·m~(-2)·h~(-1)、-0.10mg·m~(-2)·h~(-1)、1.05mg·m~(-2)·h~(-1)和2.89mg·m~(-2)·h~(-1),N_2O平均排放通量依次为:288.79mg·m~(-2)·h~(-1)、201.78mg·m~(-2)·h~(-1)、157.14mg·m~(-2)·h~(-1)、112.06mg·m~(-2)·h~(-1)、154.60mg·m~(-2)·h~(-1)和164.02mg·m~(-2)·h~(-1),CO_2平均排放通量依次为:85.44 mg·m~(-2)·h~(-1)、80.91 mg·m~(-2)·h~(-1)、76.49 mg·m~(-2)·h~(-1)、65.29 mg·m~(-2)·h~(-1)、67.19 mg·m~(-2)·h~(-1)和69.10 mg·m~(-2)·h~(-1);当生物质炭输入量小于30 t·hm~(-2)时,土壤CH_4、N_2O、CO_2排放通量随其输入量增加而显著减小,但当其输入量超过30 t·hm~(-2)时,3种温室气体排放通量则呈显著增大趋势;当生物质炭输入水平为30 t·hm~(-2)时,春小麦土壤全天表现为CH_4的吸收汇,其余各水平处理下的土壤表现为CH_4的弱排放源;6种处理水平下,全天春小麦地土壤表现为N_2O、CO_2的排放源。0~5 cm的土壤温度及水分(y)与生物质炭输入量(x)回归方程分别为y=-0.017 6x+16.585(R~2=0.302 6,r=-0.55,P0.05)和y=0.056 5x+13.626(R~2=0.815 1,r=0.903,P0.05),生物质炭输入量与0~5 cm的土壤水分呈显著正相关关系;无生物质炭输入处理下3种温室气体的吸收或排放通量与地表温度及5 cm地温均呈显著正相关关系,其他各处理也表现出不同程度的正相关关系。因此,当生物质炭输入水平为30 t·hm~(-2)时,更有利于CH_4、N_2O和CO_2 3种温室气体的增汇减排;生物质炭输入水平差异引起的土壤温度及水分差异可能是不同生物质炭处理CH_4、N_2O和CO_2日排放通量产生差异的主要原因;由矫正系数及最佳时段温室气体排放量与累积排放量回归分析可得,3种温室气体的最佳同期观测时间为8:00—9:00。     

不同生物质炭输入水平下旱作农田温室气体排放研究

在陇中黄土高原干旱半干旱区,采用小区定位试验,对不同生物质炭输入水平下春小麦农田土壤温室气体(CO_2、N_2O和CH_4)的排放通量进行全生育期连续观测,并分析其影响因子。结果表明:6个生物质炭输入水平处理下[0 t·hm~(-2)(CK)、10 t·hm~(-2)、20 t·hm~(-2)、30 t·hm~(-2)、40 t·hm~(-2)、50 t·hm~(-2)],旱作农田土壤在春小麦全生育期内均表现为CH_4弱源、N_2O源和CO_2源。全生育期各处理CH_4平均排放通量依次为:0.005 7 mg·m~(-2)·h~(-1)、0.0047 mg·m~(-2)·h~(-1)、0.003 6 mg·m~(-2)·h~(-1)、0.003 3 mg·m~(-2)·h~(-1)、0.002 7 mg·m~(-2)·h~(-1)和0.000 4 mg·m~(-2)·h~(-1),N_2O平均排放通量依次为:0.230 5 mg·m~(-2)·h~(-1)、0.144 1 mg·m~(-2)·h~(-1)、0.135 3 mg·m~(-2)·h~(-1)、0.098 9 mg·m~(-2)·h~(-1)、0.125 0 mg·m~(-2)·h~(-1)和0.151 3mg·m~(-2)·h~(-1),CO_2平均排放通量依次为:0.449 2μmol·m~(-2)·s~(-1)、0.447 0μmol·m~(-2)·s~(-1)、0.430 3μmol·m~(-2)·s~(-1)、0.391 4μmol·m~(-2)·s~(-1)、0.408 0μmol·m~(-2)·s~(-1)和0.416 4μmol·m~(-2)·s~(-1)。土壤CH_4排放通量随生物质炭输入量的增加而减小;当生物质炭输入量小于30 t·hm~(-2)时,土壤N_2O、CO_2排放通量随其输入量增加而显著减小,但当其输入量超过30 t·hm~(-2)时,N_2O、CO_2排放通量则呈显著增大趋势。各处理在5~15 cm土层平均土壤温度差异显著(P0.05),在5~10 cm土层平均土壤含水量差异显著(P0.05),土壤温度及含水量受生物质炭影响明显;且CK处理不同土层的土壤温度及含水量波动最大,生物质炭输入可在一定程度上降低不同土层土壤的水热变化幅度;N_2O、CO_2排放通量与10~15 cm土层土壤温度呈显著性负相关,与20~25 cm土壤温度呈显著性正相关;CH_4平均排放通量与5~10 cm土层土壤温度呈显著性负相关,与其含水量呈显著性正相关;N_2O平均排放通量与15~20 cm土层土壤温度呈显著性正相关;CH_4、N_2O、CO_2平均排放通量与0~5 cm土层土壤水分呈显著性负相关。生物质炭的输入能够减小温室气体的排放,且会因其输入量的不同而异,因此适量应用生物质炭有利于旱作农田生育期内增汇减排。     

黄土台塬不同土地利用土壤温室气体通量空间变异及其环境解释

为探讨环境因子对黄土台塬不同土地利用方式土壤温室气体排放的影响,以研究区耕地、天然草地、灌木林地、乔灌混交林地和乔木林地为研究对象,采用静态箱-气相色谱法对其土壤温室气体通量动态变化进行了监测,并应用冗余分析法(RDA,Redundancy analysis)对土壤温室气体空间变异与环境因子的关系进行了分析。结果显示:(1)N_2O变异程度较CO_2、CH_4更加显著,为147.23%,CO_2的气体通量水平较其他温室气体更加突出;(2)土地利用方式对黄土台塬土壤主要温室气体CO_2、N_2O和CH_4的通量影响较大,且土壤CO_2排放为耕地最高可达83.60 mg m~(-2) h~(-1),N_2O与CH_4气体通量强度最高的分别为耕地(3.78μg m~(-2)h~(-1))和草地(65.93μg m~(-2)h~(-1));(3)通过RDA排序分析表明各环境因子对研究区不同土地利用方式土壤温室气体通量空间变异解释程度的高低,其中海拔高程与深层土壤温度影响最为突出。     

施肥处理对春季冻融期灰漠土农田温室气体排放的影响

绿洲灰漠土冻融交替明显,但缺乏该时期气体通量及动态变化方面的研究。选取NPK(氮磷钾肥)、NPKS(0.9NPK+0.1秸秆氮)、NPKM(1/3NPK+2/3羊粪氮)和NPKM+(1.5倍NPKM)处理作为研究对象,利用静态箱气相色谱法开展2013—2014年春季冻融期温室气体排放观测试验。结果显示,春季冻融期间,有机肥添加处理CO_2排放量较高,其中NPKM+和NPKM处理CO_2平均排放量分别为C 113 mg m~(-2) h~(-1)和85 mg m~(-2) h~(-1),其次为NPKS(72 mg m~(-2) h~(-1))、NPK(75 mg m~(-2) h~(-1))和CK(35 mg m~(-2) h~(-1))。同样,NPKM+和NPKM处理有相对更高的N_2O排放,春冻平均排放通量分别为N 73μg m~(-2) h~(-1)和42μg m~(-2) h~(-1),显著高于NPKS(22μg m~(-2) h~(-1))和NPK(17μg m~(-2) h~(-1))处理(p0.05)。CH_4排放量相对较低,各处理无明显差异(p0.05)。分析发现,N_2O在冻融期呈现先增加后急剧减少的趋势,CO_2变幅不明显。与全年总排放量相比,冻融期(27 d)N_2O的排放量占全年的9%~18%,CH_4冻融期间排放比重占全年排放量的6%~14%。所以,冻融交替期是灰漠土农田温室气体排放的相对高发时期,估算温室气体排放时应充分考虑。     

冬季猪场污水处理设施温室气体排放测试

为研究畜禽废弃物处理过程中温室气体泄漏与排放状况，该文利用静态箱对北京市北郎中猪场的污水处理单元进行了温室气体泄漏与排放测试。测试结果表明：厌氧消化罐泄漏造成的温室气体通量为5823.19 mg·m^-2·h^-1 CO₂当量，一、二级氧化塘其CO₂当量的温室气体通量分别为607.75、8.61mg·m^-2·h^-1；由于污水以厌氧处理为主，各处理单元冬季的氧化亚氮排放很低，几乎可以忽略不计。     

科尔沁沙丘-草甸梯级生态系统CO_2,CH_4和N_2O通量特征

为了明确科尔沁沙丘—草甸梯级生态系统中不同生态系统生育期内温室气体通量变化规律及其影响因素,采用静态箱—气相色谱法,于2017年5—10月对呈梯级分布的半流动沙丘、半固定沙丘、人工林地、农田(玉米)和草甸湿地CO_2,CH_4和N_2O通量进行了原位观测,并同步测量取样点的土壤温度、土壤含水量、土壤总有机质含量、总磷含量和总氮含量。对温室气体通量及其影响因子之间进行了相关分析,结果表明:科尔沁沙丘—草甸梯级生态系统上温室气体通量均具有明显的季节性变化,温室气体通量受到土壤含水量和土壤温度的显著影响,二者共同作用促进了温室气体通量的吸收或排放。在干旱半干旱地区,土壤含水量显著影响着土壤温室气体通量对土壤温度的敏感性,土壤温室气体通量随着温度的增加而增大,同时土壤含水量超过田间持水率时,土壤温室气体通量又会随着土壤含水量的增大而降低,从而影响土壤温室气体通量对土壤温度的响应。CO_2通量的温度敏感性(Q_(10))表现为:农田(4.18)草甸湿地(2.87)人工林地(2.51)半固定沙丘(2.41)半流动沙丘(2.36)。CO_2排放峰值出现在水热条件较好的7月、8月,其中8月22日附近的排放峰值明显高于7月21日附近的排放峰值。3种温室气体通量均值呈现出梯级变化(换算为CO_2):半流动沙丘[181.65 mg/(m~2·h)]半固定沙丘[242.16 mg/(m~2·h)]人工林地[348.33 mg/(m~2·h)]农田[405.72 mg/(m~2·h)]草甸湿地[(487.63 mg/(m~2·h)]。试验区土壤总有机质含量、总磷含量也呈现出相同的梯级变化,生育期CO_2通量与土壤中总有机质含量和总磷含量呈极显著正相关(p0.01)。生育期内N_2O通量的变异对土壤温度的响应更强烈。     

规模奶牛养殖室外运动场春季温室气体与氨气排放特性

舍外运动场是中国传统奶牛养殖场的组成部分,同时也是温室气体和氨气(NH_3)的重要排放源。由于开放式生产设施污染气体排放的监测难度大,目前中国还普遍缺少奶牛运动场温室气体和NH_3排放通量的直接监测数据。该试验采用梯度法对北京地区春季典型开放式奶牛运动场的甲烷(CH_4)、氧化亚氮(N_2O)、二氧化碳(CO_2)等温室气体和NH_3浓度及其排放通量进行了监测分析,讨论了排放特征和关键影响因素,为获取中国北方地区奶牛运动场温室气体和NH_3的排放通量提供了基础数据支撑。测试运动场饲养了52头荷斯坦奶牛,年均单产约8 t,头均占地面积为20.77 m~2。结果表明,该奶牛运动场春季CH_4、N_2O和CO_2的排放通量为155.59、3.60和4 869.37 mg/(m~2·h),分别占温室气体排放总量的42.79%、9.37%和47.83%;NH_3的排放通量为66.27 mg/(m~2·h);排放峰值一般出现在运动场清粪之后。环境温度与CH_4、N_2O和NH_3排放量呈显著的正相关关系(P0.05),同时风速在一定范围内会促进CH_4、N_2O和NH_3的排放。奶牛场清粪活动不仅会加快污染气体的排放通量,还会影响温度和风速对气体排放通量的作用效果。     

黄土台塬不同土地利用方式土壤CH4通量特征及主控因子分析

土地利用转变会导致土壤微环境及生理生化过程发生改变,继而影响土壤温室气体的产生和排放。目前关于土地利用转变对温室气体通量的研究主要集中于CO_2,而对CH_4研究甚少。本文以黄土台塬为研究区,重点分析不同土地利用方式的土壤CH_4通量特征与其影响因素的关系,并明确其关键影响因子,为预测整个黄土台塬土地利用方式转变对温室效应的贡献提供基础数据。以陕西省永寿县马莲滩林场为研究对象,于2015年4月—2016年3月,采用静态箱-气相色谱法,对耕地、天然草地、灌木林地、乔灌混交林地、乔木林地和果园的CH_4通量特征进行研究,并分析土壤CH_4通量与土壤温度、地表温度、含水量及全氮的关系。不同土地利用方式土壤CH_4平均通量差异显著(P0.05),但表现相似的季节变化,呈现夏秋季高于冬春季特征。林地、园地、耕地土壤均为CH_4吸收汇,其吸收能力(平均值)为乔灌混交林(51.24μg·m~(-2)·h~(-1))乔木林(44.80μg·m~(-2)·h~(-1))灌木林(31.52μg·m~(-2)·h~(-1))草地(25.89μg·m~(-2)·h~(-1))果园(18.97μg·m~(-2)·h~(-1))耕地(14.89μg·m~(-2)·h~(-1))。不同土地利用方式土壤CH_4吸收与土壤温度、全氮和地表大气温度均呈正相关;与土壤含水量呈负相关。其土壤表层(0~20 cm)温度是6种土地利用方式土壤CH_4吸收的主要影响因素。总之,自然条件下的土壤CH_4吸收率明显高于农业土壤CH_4吸收率,耕地转变为林地后土壤的CH_4吸收能力增强,土壤对减缓温室效应的贡献增大。     

猪场沼渣与玉米芯混合槽式堆肥氨气排放特征

堆肥既是粪便资源化利用处理的主要方式之一,也是重要的农业氨气排放源。针对猪粪沼渣堆肥的现场研究较少,实际生产过程中氨气排放数据缺乏,排放特征不明确的问题,开展了猪粪沼渣与玉米芯混合堆肥氨气排放特征的现场试验研究。本研究在实际槽式堆肥车间构建实时在线气体监测系统,对生猪养殖场沼渣槽式好氧堆肥车间氨气浓度变化进行连续监测,测算堆体氨气排放通量,分析氨气排放特征。结果显示:堆肥38d内槽式好氧堆肥车间氨气浓度变化范围为0.85～22.40mg·m~(-3),平均3.63mg·m~(-3)。由于翻堆对氨气扩散的促进作用,白天堆肥氨气浓度高于夜间,12:00-16:00氨气排放浓度最高(6.77±4.37mg·m~(-3)),其次为16:00-20:00(4.26±2.07mg·m~(-3))和8:00-12:00(3.62±1.46mg·m~(-3));堆肥车间单位体积堆肥原料的氨气排放通量为50.25～196.59mg·m~(-3)·h~(-1),平均103.99mg·m~(-3)·h~(-1),整个38d堆肥过程的氨气排放量为94.84g·m~(-3)。研究结果将为猪粪堆肥过程氨气的控制及减排措施的制定提供科学依据。     

长期施肥下黑土玉米田土壤温室气体的排放特征

研究不同施肥措施下东北黑土区玉米农田温室气体(CO_2、N_2O和CH_4)的排放量及其增温潜势,将为制定农业温室气体减排措施提供理论依据。本研究以国家(公主岭)黑土长期定位试验为平台,采用静态箱-气相色谱法对不同施肥措施下玉米农田土壤温室气体排放通量进行了监测,并分析了不同施肥处理间玉米田的综合温室效应差异。结果表明:各施肥处理土壤温室气体CO_2和N_2O的排放高峰均出现在玉米拔节期。农家肥和化肥配施(M_2NPK)处理土壤CO_2、N_2O排放通量和CH_4吸收量均显著高于施化肥处理(P0.05);施用化肥处理土壤CO_2、N_2O排放通量高于不施肥处理;撂荒区土壤CO_2排放通量最高,而土壤N_2O排放通量显著低于施肥处理;等施氮量条件下,化肥(NPK)处理土壤N_2O排放通量明显高于秸秆还田(SNPK)处理,而土壤CH4净吸收量结果则截然相反。从土壤综合温室效应和温室气体强度可分析出,与不施肥(CK)比较,偏施化肥N和NPK处理的综合温室效应(GWP)分别增加了142%和32%,SNPK综合温室效应降低了38%;尤其是有机无机配施(M_2NPK)处理的综合温室效应为负值,为净碳汇。平衡施肥NPK和有机无机肥配施(SNPK和M_2NPK)温室气体排放强度(GHGI)较弱,显著低于不施肥(CK)和偏施化肥(N)处理,其中M2NPK为-222 kg CO_2-eq·t~(-1)。因此,为同步实现较高的玉米产量和较低的温室气体排放强度,有机无机肥配施是东北黑土区较为理想的土壤培肥方式。     

低氮和干旱胁迫对富士和秦冠生长及氮素利用的影响

【目的】以富士（Fuji）、 秦冠（Qinguan）嫁接在平邑甜茶（Malus hupehensis Rehd.）上的当年生盆栽苗为试验材料,采用砂培方法,研究了缺氮胁迫和干旱对富士和秦冠生长情况、 光合参数、 植株各部位氮磷钾含量及氮素利用效率的影响,分析比较了低氮干旱条件下富士和秦冠生长及氮素利用的差异,以期为果树生产高效肥水利用提供理论指导。【方法】试验共设四个处理: 正常氮正常水（ZZ）、 低氮正常水（DZ）、 正常氮干旱（ZG）、 低氮干旱（DG）。氮素和水分均设置两个水平,分别为正常氮（6 mmol/L NO-3-N）、 低氮（0.3 mmol/LNO-3-N）、 正常供水（保持盆中砂子相对含水量为饱和含水量的80%~85%）、 干旱处理（保持盆中砂子相对含水量为饱和含水量的60%~65%）。【结果】富士和秦冠的生物量（茎和叶）、 株高茎粗等生长指标以及光合速率、 气孔导度、 蒸腾速率均为正常氮正常水（ZZ）＞低氮正常水（DZ）＞正常氮干旱（ZG）＞低氮干旱（DG）,并且相对应处理下秦冠的以上指标均高于富士;正常供水下,缺氮处理使富士、 秦冠的根冠比比正常氮处理均有所增加,富士提高了2.05%,秦冠提高了22.40%。富士和秦冠的氮、 磷、 钾含量均表现出正常氮正常水（ZZ）＞低氮正常水（DZ）＞正常氮干旱（ZG）＞低氮干旱（DG）; 氮、 钾元素含量在植株各部位的分布顺序依次是叶＞根＞茎,磷元素则是根＞叶＞茎;光合氮素利用效率（PNUE）和氮素利用效率表现为秦冠处理之间差异极显著,富士处理之间差异不显著;秦冠的PNUE和NUE明显高于富士,在低氮正常水（DZ）处理下,秦冠氮肥利用率比富士高42.07%,在低氮干旱（DG）处理下高64.14%;低氮胁迫下富士和秦冠的NUE显著提高,并且秦冠提高的幅度高于富士。【结论】施用氮肥能够显著提高富士与秦冠的干物质量,同等水肥条件下,秦冠生长优于富士;水分亏缺会减少叶片对氮的吸收,干旱条件下适度增施氮肥,可提高果树的抗旱能力;低氮干旱胁迫下秦冠的生长指标、 光合指标及氮素利用效率指标均优于富士,表现出较强的抗低氮干旱胁迫的能力。     

Biodiversity and ecogeography of wild Lactuca spp. in some European countries

Staff members of the Department of Botany of Palacký University in Olomouc and Gene Bank Department – Workplace Olomouc, Research Institute of Crop Production in Prague, Czech Republic, conducted an expedition in seven European countries (Austria, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland) in August/September 1999 to collect wild Lactuca spp. germplasm and study its geographic distribution, ecology and biodiversity. During the mission, more than 600 locations were visited resulting in the collection of 602 seed samples (accessions) of wild Lactuca species and 13 seed samples of related genera (Chondrilla and Mycelis). Lactuca serriola f. serriola, L. serriola f. integrifolia, L. saligna and L. viminea subsp. chondrilliflora were prevalent in southern Europe (Italy, France), however, only L. serriola was common in central and western Europe (Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland). The greatest diversity of Lactuca species was found in France, where also the most seed samples (165) were collected. The most characteristic habitats with a high density of Lactuca spp. populations were observed along roads and highways, grassy ditches, ruderal communities, and dust-heaps. Natural infections by powdery mildew (Erysiphe cichoracearum) and downy mildew (Bremia lactucae) on some wild Lactuca spp. were observed. Recent observations concerning the geographic distribution, population structure, habitats, and natural occurrence of diseases of Lactuca spp. are discussed. This assemblage of genetic resources of Lactuca spp. can serve as the basis of future studies of species diversification, spatial population structure, plant microevolution, domestication processes, and genetic variability of host-parasite interactions.     

Pasture Vegetation Elemental Analysis by Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is a new technique for the analysis of plant material. This study investigates the application of LIBS to pasture-based plant samples. The LIBS measurements were obtained from pelletized pasture samples (100 samples) that had been also analyzed by inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) following microwave digestion for calibration and comparison purposes. Comparisons for elements sodium (Na), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), boron (B), phosphorus (P), and sulfur (S) showed that LIBS could be used for almost all the standard profile total elements with concentrations down to low mg/kg levels (observed error of Na: 0.024 percent, K: 0.18 percent, Mg: 0.016 percent, Ca: 0.073 percent, P: 0.017 percent, Mn: 31 mg/kg, Fe: 150 mg/kg, Zn: 6.6 mg/kg, and B: 1.1 mg/kg). Elemental analysis at less than mg/kg levels was not possible using LIBS. The elements S and Cu were particularly difficult to analyze with reliability using LIBS at the concentration levels found in the plant samples. Replacing microwave digestion and subsequent ICP analysis with a direct analysis of dried plant samples using LIBS has the potential to improve the productivity and reduce the cost of testing.     

Properties of anaerobically digested and composted municipal solid waste assessed by linking soil mesofauna dynamics and nitrogen modelling

We have studied the effect of anaerobically digested (ADMSW) and composted municipal solid waste (CMSW) on mineralization and foodweb dynamics to verify the hypothesis that ADMSW would immobilize N right after addition to soil in contrast to addition with CMSW. Another hypothesis was that the mesofauna (enchytraeids and microarthropods) would stimulate N release from the decomposer community. We measured excretion of -N and urea-N from the mesofauna and hypothesized that enchytraeids would release urea. ADMSW and CMSW were amended to pots with sandy loam and barley. The pots were divided into treatments with or without mesofauna. Mesofauna, plant N and biomass, soil N and ergosterol (fungal biomass) were measured over a 113-day period of four equidistant samplings. Soil respiration, N mineralization and N release by the mesofauna were modelled from concurrent studies. ADMSW- and CMSW-treated soils initially (<20 days) immobilized N. The amendments did not increase plant growth substantially, and this was probably due to N-limitation in the early stages of plant growth. Enchytraeid abundance was about three times higher in ADMSW- than CMSW-treated soils, indicating that ADMSW contained more labile compounds, bacteria, and microfauna. The mesofauna did not affect N-content, but the cumulated -N excreted by the mesofauna was estimated to be substantial and about one-fifth of total plant N in ADMSW. An explanation for this discrepancy might be that in the absence of the mesofauna, other members of the detrivore and microbivore community performed the mesofauna’s function. Neither enchytraeids nor microarthropods excreted urea.     

Faculty positions: Center for Agricultural Resources Research,Chinese Academy of Sciences

正The Center for Agricultural Resources Research(CARR),the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology(IGDB),Chinese Academy of Sciences,invites applicants for several research group leader positions.CARR is one of the research organizations in Chinese Academy of Sciences(CAS).We seek nominations and applications from individuals who have expertise and a record of accomplishment in research areas related to ecology,agro-hydrology,     

Faculty positions: Center for Agricultural Resources Research,Chinese Academy of Sciences

正The Center for Agricultural Resources Research(CARR),the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology(IGDB),Chinese Academy of Sciences,invites applicants for several research group leader positions.CARR is one of the research organizations in Chinese Academy of Sciences(CAS).We seek nominations and applications from individuals who have expertise and a record of accomplishment in research areas related to ecology,agro-hydrology,     

Assessing the effectiveness of conservation measures: Resolving the “wicked” problem of the Steller sea lion

“Wicked” problems are those that are complex and that change when solutions are applied. Many conflicts in conservation fall into this category. The study approached the problem of how to constrain the apparent wickedness of a problem in the conservation management of a species by using simple empirical indicators to carry out iterative assessment of the risk to a population and to document how this risk evolves in relation to the addition of new data and the implementation of management actions. Effects of high levels of uncertainty within data and also concerning population structure were examined through stochastic simulation and by exploration of scenarios. Historical trends in the example used, the Steller sea lion, showed rapid declines in abundance in some regions during the 1980s. The current total population is 130,000-150,000 Steller sea lions through Alaska and British Columbia and this number has been stable since about 1990 in spite of regional differences in population dynamics. Regional differences in the sequence of changes in the number of pups and non-pups, suggested that an internal re-distribution of juveniles could have happened between 1980 and 1990. Current productivity also appears close to the long-term mean. Stochastic population projection using various scenarios showed that, based upon this history, the risk of extinction for the population has declined and is below reasonable thresholds for considering the population to be endangered. The trends in risk suggest that management actions taken since 1990 have probably been effective. Consequently, the conservation management objectives for the Steller sea lion are probably being met. The approach provides a mechanism, based upon experience and scenario analysis, for exploring future policy options and may help to constrain the debate amongst stakeholders about the cost-benefit trade-offs associated with different options.     

Soil-profile distribution of primary and secondary plant-available nutrients under conventional and no tillage

Nutrient distributions under no tillage (NT) compared with conventional disk-and-bed tillage (CT) management in the warm, humid region of the southeastern USA need to be assessed so that future placement, quantity, and type of fertilizers can be altered, if necessary, to efficiently match crop demands. We determined soil-profile distributions of pH, N, P, S, K, Ca, Mg, Na, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu to a depth of 0.9 m at the end of 8.5 years of continuous CT and NT management on a Weswood silty clay loam (fine, mixed, thermic Fluventic Ustochrept) in southcentral Texas. Most dramatic changes occurred within the 0–0.05 m depth, where soil under NT had lower pH, Fe, and Cu than under CT, but greater P, K, Zn, and Mn. Greater P and K under NT than under CT also occurred below the till-zone (0.15–0.3 m). At a depth of 0–0.3 m, soil under NT contained greater amounts of extractable P, K, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu than under CT. Nitrogen fertilization had little effect on nutrient distributions, except resulting in greater extractable K at 0–0.05 m and greater nitrate at 0–0.15 m. Few changes in soil-profile distributions were observed for extractable S, Ca, Mg, and Na. Long-term continuous use of NT on this fine-textured, high-fertility (except for N) soil had no apparent adverse effects on nutrient distributions relative to CT, but enhanced conservation and availability of P, K, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu near the soil surface where crop roots proliferate.     

Faculty positions:Center for Agricultural Resources Research,Chinese Academy of Sciences

正The Center for Agricultural Resources Research(CARR),the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology(IGDB),Chinese Academy of Sciences,invites applicants for several research group leader positions.CARR is one of the research organizations in Chinese Academy of Sciences(CAS).We seek nominations and applications from individuals who have expertise and a record of accomplishment in research areas related to ecology,agro-hydrology,     

Macroinvertebrates in North American tallgrass prairie soils: effects of fire, mowing, and fertilization on density and biomass

The responses of tallgrass prairie plant communities and ecosystem processes to fire and grazing are well characterized. However, responses of invertebrate consumer groups, and particularly soil-dwelling organisms, to these disturbances are not well known. At Konza Prairie Biological Station, we sampled soil macroinvertebrates in 1994 and 1999 as part of a long-term experiment designed to examine the effects and interactions of annual fire, mowing, and fertilization (N and P) on prairie soil communities and processes. For nearly all taxa, in both years, responses were characterized by significant treatment interactions, but some general patterns were evident. Introduced European earthworms (Aporrectodea spp. and Octolasion spp.) were most abundant in plots where fire was excluded, and the proportion of the total earthworm community consisting of introduced earthworms was greater in unburned, unmowed, and fertilized plots. Nymphs of two Cicada genera were collected (Cicadetta spp. and Tibicen spp.). Cicadetta nymphs were more abundant in burned plots, but mowing reduced their abundance. Tibicen nymphs were collected almost exclusively from unburned plots. Treatment effects on herbivorous beetle larvae (Scarabaeidae, Elateridae, and Curculionidae) were variable, but nutrient additions (N or P) usually resulted in greater densities, whereas mowing usually resulted in lower densities. Our results suggest that departures from historical disturbance regimes (i.e. frequent fire and grazing) may render soils more susceptible to increased numbers of European earthworms, and that interactions between fire, aboveground biomass removal, and vegetation responses affect the structure and composition of invertebrate communities in tallgrass prairie soils.